Russian authorities announced a new criminal charge against Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Wednesday, which could add up to three years to his prison term.
It was the latest move in a crackdown before September's parliamentary election.
Navalny, Moscow's fiercest domestic critic, is serving a 2.5-year sentence for parole violations that he says were bogus.
He was arrested after flying back from Germany where he had recovered from being poisoned with a nerve agent.
Mr Navalny and his allies have faced pressure for years, but his political network was outlawed in June after a court formally designated his anti-corruption foundation and regional campaign groups as extremist.
The Investigative Committee, which looks into serious crimes, said Navalny had been charged with creating an organisation that "infringes on the personality and rights of citizens".
It said his Anti-Corruption Foundation had incited Russians to break the law and take part in unauthorised, illegal protests demanding his release in January.
The opposition politician's allies who post on social media under the name Team Navalny described the accusation as "the latest meaningless charge".
The charge came a day after the Investigative Committee on Tuesday announced a criminal investigation into two close allies of Navalny, who live abroad, for raising funds for his political network.
On Sunday, Russian media outlets reported that politician Lyubov Sobol, another close ally of Navalny, had left Russia and flown to Turkey.
She has not commented on her whereabouts and her colleagues have declined to comment.
Company%20profile
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Kamindu Mendis bio
Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis
Born: September 30, 1998
Age: 20 years and 26 days
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team
Batting style: Left-hander
Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)
Takreem Awards winners 2021
Corporate Leadership: Carl Bistany (Lebanon)
Cultural Excellence: Hoor Al Qasimi (UAE)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Bkerzay (Lebanon)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Raya Ani (Iraq)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Women’s Programs Association (Lebanon)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Osamah Al Thini (Libya)
Excellence in Education: World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) (Qatar)
Outstanding Arab Woman: Balghis Badri (Sudan)
Scientific and Technological Achievement: Mohamed Slim Alouini (KSA)
Young Entrepreneur: Omar Itani (Lebanon)
Lifetime Achievement: Suad Al Amiry (Palestine)
Company%C2%A0profile
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
'Ghostbusters: From Beyond'
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace
Rating: 2/5
